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The Soloist

  • 20092009
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx in The Soloist (2009)
This is the theatrical trailer for The Soloist, directed by Joe Wright and starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.
Play trailer2:32
10 Videos
83 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music

A newspaper journalist discovers a homeless musical genius and tries to improve his situation.A newspaper journalist discovers a homeless musical genius and tries to improve his situation.A newspaper journalist discovers a homeless musical genius and tries to improve his situation.

IMDb RATING
6.7/10
53K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Joe Wright
  • Writers
    • Susannah Grant(screenplay)
    • Steve Lopez(book "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music")
  • Stars
    • Jamie Foxx
    • Robert Downey Jr.
    • Catherine Keener
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joe Wright
  • Writers
    • Susannah Grant(screenplay)
    • Steve Lopez(book "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music")
  • Stars
    • Jamie Foxx
    • Robert Downey Jr.
    • Catherine Keener
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 165User reviews
    • 201Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos10

    The Soloist: Trailer
    Trailer 2:32
    The Soloist: Trailer
    The Soloist: "Steve Meets Nathaniel"
    Clip 0:59
    The Soloist: "Steve Meets Nathaniel"
    The Soloist: "I Want You to Help Him"
    Clip 1:02
    The Soloist: "I Want You to Help Him"
    The Soloist: "Dinner at Awards Show"
    Clip 0:39
    The Soloist: "Dinner at Awards Show"
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:24
    The Soloist
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:34
    The Soloist
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:34
    The Soloist
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:37
    The Soloist
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:25
    The Soloist
    The Soloist
    Interview 0:26
    The Soloist

    Photos83

    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Robert Downey Jr. in The Soloist (2009)
    Joe Wright in The Soloist (2009)
    Joe Wright in The Soloist (2009)
    Jamie Foxx in The Soloist (2009)
    Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers in The Soloist (2009)
    Nathaniel Anthony Ayers in The Soloist (2009)
    Nathaniel Anthony Ayers in The Soloist (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jamie Foxx
    Jamie Foxx
    • Nathaniel Ayersas Nathaniel Ayers
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Steve Lopezas Steve Lopez
    Catherine Keener
    Catherine Keener
    • Mary Westonas Mary Weston
    Tom Hollander
    Tom Hollander
    • Graham Claydonas Graham Claydon
    LisaGay Hamilton
    LisaGay Hamilton
    • Jennifer Ayersas Jennifer Ayers
    • (as Lisagay Hamilton)
    Nelsan Ellis
    Nelsan Ellis
    • David Carteras David Carter
    Rachael Harris
    Rachael Harris
    • Leslie Bloomas Leslie Bloom
    Stephen Root
    Stephen Root
    • Curt Reynoldsas Curt Reynolds
    Lorraine Toussaint
    Lorraine Toussaint
    • Flo Ayersas Flo Ayers
    Justin Martin
    Justin Martin
    • Young Nathanielas Young Nathaniel
    Kokayi Ampah
    Kokayi Ampah
    • Bernie Carpenteras Bernie Carpenter
    Patrick Tatten
    Patrick Tatten
    • Paul Jr.as Paul Jr.
    Susane Lee
    Susane Lee
    • Marisaas Marisa
    • (as Susane E. Lee)
    Marcos De Silvas
    Marcos De Silvas
    • Mayor Villaraigosaas Mayor Villaraigosa
    Ilia Volok
    Ilia Volok
    • Harry Barnoffas Harry Barnoff
    Michael Bunin
    Michael Bunin
    • Adam Craneas Adam Crane
    Mike Nowak
    Mike Nowak
    • Julliard Conductoras Julliard Conductor
    • (as Michael Nowak)
    Jena Malone
    Jena Malone
    • Cheery Lab Techas Cheery Lab Tech
    • Director
      • Joe Wright
    • Writers
      • Susannah Grant(screenplay)
      • Steve Lopez(book "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Through the Lens of 'Darkest Hour' Director Joe Wright

    Through the Lens of 'Darkest Hour' Director Joe Wright

    See how director Joe Wright uses his signature tracking shots to set up a visual narrative for his films, including Atonement, The Soloist, and Hanna.
    Watch the video
    Image caption not available
    1:33

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In 2005, the only thing hurting Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez more than his face from a recent bike accident was his pressing need for story ideas. That is when he discovers Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill, homeless street musician who possesses extraordinary talent, even through his half-broken instruments. Inspired by his story, Lopez writes an acclaimed series of articles about Ayers and attempts to do more to help both him and the rest of the underclass of LA have a better life. However, Lopez's good intentions run headlong in the hard realities of the strength of Ayers' personal demons and the larger social injustices facing the homeless. Regardless, Lopez and Ayers must find a way to conquer their deepest anxieties and frustrations to hope for a brighter future for both of them. —Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
    • reference to jascha heifetz
    • homeless man
    • schizophrenia
    • homelessness
    • wearing a traffic cone as a hat
    • 183 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Life has a mind of its own
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jamie Foxx (who was already a classically trained pianist) learned to play the cello for the film.
    • Goofs
      In the movie, Steve takes Nathaniel to listen to Beethoven's Third Symphony. In the DVD bonus material an interview with the real Nathaniel and Steve confirms that this took place, and that it was the Third Symphony. Reminiscing, the real Nathaniel then plays Steve an excerpt on his cello...except that he actually plays the second movement of Beethoven's better known Fifth Symphony - not the Third.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Steve Lopez: "Points West" by Steve Lopez. A year ago, I met a man who was down on his luck and thought I might be able to help him. I don't know that I have. Yes, my friend Mr. Ayers now sleeps inside. He has a key. He has a bed. But his mental state and his well-being, are as precarious now as they were the day we met. There are people who tell me I've helped him. Mental health experts who say that the simple act of being someone's friend can change his brain chemistry, improve his functioning in the world. I can't speak for Mr. Ayers in that regard. Maybe our friendship has helped him. But maybe not. I can, however, speak for myself. I can tell you that by witnessing Mr. Ayers's courage, his humility, his faith in the power of his art, I've learned the dignity of being loyal to something you believe in, of holding onto it. Above all else, of believing, without question, that it will carry you home.

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of the credits, the music concludes with the sound of a cassette tape grinding to a stop, referencing Lopez's omnipresent recorder.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Rotten Tomatoes Show: 17 Again/State of Play/Crank High Voltage (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Me Despido
      Written by Ernie Salgado

      Performed by Michael Salgado

      Courtesy of Freddie Records

    User reviews165

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A True Story About Urban Homelessness
    What makes this film watchable is that it is based on a true story. A caring Los Angeles reporter named Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.) tries to help a homeless man named Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx).

    Ayers suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. But he once attended Julliard, and he still lives and breathes the music of Beethoven. Ayers, with his shopping cart of possessions, walks the streets, playing his violin amid the noise of the freeway. He's content, in his own world.

    That unusual behavior grabs the attention of Lopez, no doubt as a human interest story for his own column. But as Lopez gradually becomes more genuinely concerned about Ayers, their relationship encounters frustration, anger, and emotional pain.

    It's a poignant, gritty story, full of realism. The film manages to be compassionate without being patronizing. The film does a terrific job in portraying the harsh, depressing reality of the boarders who live at a large shelter where Ayers goes, at the insistence of Lopez.

    Technical elements of the film are good. The visuals are thematically impressive. Production design and costumes are detailed and realistic. Acting is credible. Robert Downey, Jr. gives a fine performance.

    The main problem is the plot. Too much time is spent on Lopez and his trivialities. Somehow, the compelling Ayers story morphs into a weighty examination of Lopez and his distress in dealing with Ayers. The script is to blame here. I think if the main character had been Ayers, instead of Lopez, the film could have been quite inspiring.

    Even so, the film clearly calls attention to the plight of the urban homeless. As such, the film deserves viewer support.
    helpful•88
    23
    • Lechuguilla
    • Apr 24, 2009

    FAQ9

    • Is "The Soloist" based on a book?
    • Who is Nathaniel Anthony Ayers?
    • What is the significance of the burning car Nathaniel sees passing in front of his window?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 24, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site (France)
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Imagining Beethoven
    • Filming locations
      • Walt Disney Concert Hall - 111 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Universal Pictures
      • StudioCanal
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $60,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $31,720,158
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,716,458
      • Apr 26, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,332,994
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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